Jack Van Poortvliet Shares Insights on Cole Palmer’s Departure from Final

At just 21, Jack van Poortvliet secured the Gallagher Premiership title with the Leicester Tigers, but he can’t shake the feeling that the victory holds an asterisk.

For Van Poortvliet, the win was bittersweet as he was left off the list for the final against Saracens in 2022, remaining on the sidelines. This disappointment has lingered with him ever since.

Reflecting on the experience, he stated, “What happened in 2022 has burned in my memory. It has been a source of motivation since it occurred,” after celebrating a 21-16 victory over Sale Sharks, under rainy skies, contributing to Leicester’s progression to another league final.

Van Poortvliet admitted he resents how he was overlooked by then-head coach Steve Borthwick during that pivotal season.

In his second full season with the Leicester first team, he appeared in 19 league matches, mostly coming off the bench, including the semi-final. However, after Leicester’s win over Northampton Saints, he faced disappointing news when Borthwick summoned him for a crucial discussion.

The decision was made to start 39-year-old Richard Wigglesworth for the final at Twickenham, with Ben Youngs available on the bench, as the team opted for a strategy focused heavily on kicking.

Leicester clinched the championship with a narrow 15-12 victory, thanks to a drop goal by Freddie Burns, while a young lineup featuring recent academy graduates, including Freddie Steward and Ollie Chessum, took the field. Despite the team’s success, Van Poortvliet felt detached from the victory.

This past week, he watched Cole Palmer’s remarks from England’s football camp, in which Palmer conveyed feeling unworthy to call himself a Champions League winner, having participated only during the group stages with Manchester City in 2023. Van Poortvliet identified with that sentiment.

“I saw an interview with Cole Palmer where he expressed feeling like he never really won the European Cup with Manchester City because he was involved but didn’t play in the final,” Van Poortvliet shared. “It feels a bit similar for me, and I’ve carried that asterisk since then.

“I came off the bench in the semi-final early on. I learned I wasn’t included in the final squad that Monday morning, which was tough to accept at 21. It’s something that has stayed with me, but I’m grateful for the chance to now be part of the final,” he added.

As the upcoming final presents Van Poortvliet with an opportunity to properly claim a Premiership title, he noted how head coach Michael Cheika has fostered a strong bond among the team by sharing players’ family histories to deepen connections on and off the field.

Cheika, who will return to Australia after a single season at Welford Road, provided Van Poortvliet with personal guidance before the semi-final, helping him reach a focused mindset.

“He was fantastic in helping me maintain my concentration and execute the basics without overthinking. It contributed significantly to my performance, and I believe he’s been instrumental in our turnaround from last season, when we finished eighth,” added Van Poortvliet.

Upcoming Match: Bath vs. Leicester Tigers

Event: Gallagher Premiership Final
Location: Twickenham
Date: Saturday, 3 PM
Broadcast: ITV1/TNT Sports 1